What's on in Wangarata - 23 February 2007

What's on in Wangarata This is edition 86 of the Rural City of Wangaratta E-Newsletter "Cultural Capers". If you would like to subscribe simply enter your email address in the subscription box at the bottom of the newsletter and it will be sent upon publication.

Rural community funding

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, has urged not-for-profit organisations throughout the Benalla Electorate to apply for funding through the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) “Seeds for Renewal” grants program.

Dr Sykes said the program, sponsored by the ANZ Bank, targets rural communities with a population less than 15,000 people.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available to not-for-profit organisations with an ABN who propose projects that aid the sustainability of their communities.

Preference will be given to applications which address the criteria of creating community enterprise; initiating community projects to develop the local economy, tourism or culture or enabling growth and community momentum.

“This has been a valuable program in 2006 with Central Access in the Benalla Electorate being successful in receiving funding to purchase vital equipment.” Dr Sykes said.

Dr Sykes said he was constantly asked about government funding for rural communities during his visits around the electorate.

“Small communities often do not have the resources which they require so I am very aware and supportive of the need to secure funding from other sources.”

As part of the 2007 grants program $I million has been made available to assist drought affected communities for projects within rural Victoria.

“I encourage groups within the electorate to develop a good submission by carefully studying the selection criteria,” he said.

Applications open on 5 March 2007 and close on Monday 30 April 2007. Application forms and guidelines can be obtained from www.frrr.org.au or call FRRR Freecall 1800 170 020 and must be submitted by post to PO Box 41, Bendigo, 3550 before 5pm Monday, 30 April 2007.

Country roads cash crisis

Lack of State Government funding is resulting in poorly maintained roads and dangerous intersections in country Victoria which are a major cause of Victoria’s appalling country road death figures according to Nationals MP for Benalla Bill Sykes.

193 Victorians died on country roads in 2006. This was 57% of all deaths on Victorian roads.

Whilst deaths on city roads decreased from 255 in 2000 to 144 in 2006, deaths on country roads increased from 182 in 2000 to 193 in 2006. (ie from 44% of total road deaths in 2000 to 57% of total road deaths in 2006).

“A significant part of the problem is the lack of funding for country road maintenance and upgrades”, said Dr Sykes.

“For example in Strathbogie Shire, Creighton’s Creek Road, which is very narrow and poorly maintained, will not be substantially upgraded until at least 2018 – How many locals and visitors have to die before this road is upgraded?”

“Similarly in Benalla, two dangerous intersections are the sites of several accidents and many near misses.

“The Samaria Road / Witt Street junction with the Old Sydney Road is a nightmare, especially at peak times before and after work.

“There are also major issues with SES volunteers accessing their headquarters and SES vehicles attending emergencies.

“The Kilfeera/Samaria Road intersection (the Hospital corner) is also extremely busy and the scene of recent accidents and near misses.

“Student Nicole Briggs, has expressed her concerns to me and in one case her father was extremely lucky to escape serious injury after a car crashed into his bicycle at the intersection.

“The Wangaratta-Whitfield Road is also in need of extensive upgrades in addition to much welcomed recent works as are all the district unmade roads damaged by the bushfires and excessive CFA tanker traffic.

“The problem will be exacerbated by increased timber truck traffic as they transport burnt logs salvaged from the recent fires.

Dr Sykes continued, “A Parliamentary Inquiry into the Country Road Toll in 2005 had led to The Nationals campaign to secure extra road funding for rural and regional Victoria.

“The report recommended that VicRoads should implement a major program to upgrade Category C roads to make them safer”, Dr Sykes said.

“That report endorsed our view that improving the quality of roads can help to reduce the disproportionately high country road toll. The RACV has also found that safe roads minimise the chances of crashes occurring in the first place.

“The RACV believes that it will take $200 million a year for the next 10 years to bring country highways up to the required standard.

“The government can afford to spend more money on country roads. If it stopped wasting money on propaganda advertising and self-promotion, there would be millions of dollars available today to spend on country roads.”

Among the other recommendations included in the Parliamentary Inquiry report were support for:

• Increased government funding for safety improvements;
• A Transport Accident Commission advertising campaign specifically designed for country audiences;
• Increasing the number or rest areas on rural roads to address fatigue issues; and
• Further emphasis being given to improving safety on roadsides by removing hazards and installing appropriate barriers.

The Nationals MPs throughout Victoria are distributing more than 10,000 car bumper stickers with the message: Fix country roads, save country lives.

Re: Tough times – State Government Help

Many small businesses operators have highlighted to me the impact of the drought and/or fires in their businesses.

At this stage, the State Government is not prepared to make cash grants available however I would encourage people to take up Regional Development Victoria’s offer of a free analysis of your business.

I do this because I was most impressed by a presentation by Eildon Trout Fishing businessman, Geoff Hall, at a Drought Forum for Small Business operators in Benalla this week.

Geoff drew on his experience of severe business deterioration after the 2003 bushfires.

The analysis identified issues of weakness in his business but also opportunities to grow in the business.

Geoff acted on this information and in addition to modifying the business, he immediately successfully applied for a State Government Grant and qualified for an interest rate reduction and loan capital repayment holiday from his bank debts.

Regional Development Victoria can be contacted on:

Victorian Business Line (VBL)
Local call (within Australia) 13 22 15
International call (+61 3) 9651 8100

Good luck.

Bill Sykes MP
Member for Benalla
The Nationals Spokesperson for
Police & Emergency Services and Treasury

What's on in Wangaratta - 9 Feb 2006

This is edition 85 of the Rural City of Wangaratta E-Newsletter "Cultural Capers". If you would like to subscribe simply enter your email address in the subscription box at the bottom of the newsletter and it will be sent upon publication.

RCoW climate change survey online

Our climate is changing. The Wangaratta Rural City Council is working as part of the North East Greenhouse Alliance to research how our region will be impacted and in what ways we need to respond to reduce the impacts on our community.

A vital part of this project is to involve a wide range of people from our community in discussions and feedback surveys. You can help our region by completing a short five minute online survey.

The survey is being undertaken by consultants, URS, on behalf of the North East Greenhouse Alliance.

Fire services tax increase for rural properties

The Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes, said the Fire Services Levy insurance in country Victoria will increase this month.

“This increase is another example of the Bracks Government hitting the hip pocket of country people. The Fire Services Levy (FSL) is a tax imposed on insurance to fund fire services including the CFA,” Dr Sykes said.

“The problem with this tax is that it’s fundamentally inequitable. Ultimately, the cost of the levy is paid for by people who take out property insurance, with a great burden borne by those who live in the country.”

“And the latest increase in FSL will only hit businesses and farms in the country, as the levy has not been increased for city-based business. This will place a further burden on country families and businesses who are already struggling because of the continuing affects of the drought.”

Dr Sykes said he had been informed that from 23 February the Victorian Fire Service Levy on Fire/ISR/Consequential Loss and Contractors risk – excluding public liability would both increase four percent to 47%. It should be noted that in NSW Fire/ISR/Consequential Loss is down two percent to 34%.

“The FSL is an archaic way of funding our fire services as it apportions the burden of the cost on responsible property owners while allowing others to ‘free ride’ and effectively avoid paying for the fire services freely available to them.

“The Nationals recognise the stupidity of the current system of funding fire services.

“The Nationals have proposed replacing the FSL with a more equitable combination of direct government contributions, a charge on property valuations and a small charge on motor vehicle registration,” said Dr Sykes.

“I believe if there was a fairer system of funding our vital fire services such as the CFA more people would be encouraged to take out insurance which would ease the burden,” Dr Sykes said.